Our world, and our workplaces are changing rapidly. In the past, we may have attributed career success to intelligence, or hard work. However, success and workplace wellbeing rely on the ability to cope, and even thrive during stressful times. Resilience in the workplace can lead to greater problem solving, job satisfaction, self-esteem and employee engagement.
Over the past three decades, researchers working in the field of positive psychology have looked to better understand resilience. They have defined resilience in many ways:
- The ability to bounce back from adversity, conflict or misfortune.
- The unique coping capacity when facing life stress.
- Healthy functioning after an adverse or stressful event.
And from the research in the field of positive psychology, we know that characterises of resilient individuals include:
- Strong relationships with others
- Engaging the support of those around them
- Viewing change as a challenge or opportunity
- Patience, sense of humour and optimism
- Emotional insight
- A healthy work-life balance
- Reflection on past success
- Adaptability to change
These characteristics of individuals, contribute to resilient organisations. And the good news is, we can utilise positive psychology interventions to increase our levels of resilience – resilience can be a learned skill.
If you’re focused on increasing your resilience, here are a few tips to start with:
- Build meaningful relationships, and ask for support during challenging times
- Set manageable goals, and celebrate the small wins along the way
- Take a chance – resilient people aren’t afraid to fail, and learn from their mistakes
- Prioritise a healthy work-life balance
- Reflect – whether you dropped the ball or didn’t get a job you wanted, use the opportunity to learn from the experience.
To learn more about how you can build greater resilience, head to the ‘Tapping into Character Strengths’ (hyperlink to ‘Tapping into Character Strengths’) and Martin Seligman’s framework for resilience ‘The 3 Ps – A framework for Resilience’ ((hyperlink) articles. Both of which support the development of resilience in individuals.
Tapping into Character Strengths
Understanding and using your character strengths has the potential to improve wellbeing, job performance and resilience. They can also increase confidence, positive relationships and reduce anxiety and stress. After researchers in the field of positive psychology spent time working with, and understanding people from all walks of life, including people from across the globe from different cultures and backgrounds, they found these 6 virtues were common across all people, and 24-character strengths that underpinned each virtue.
Wisdom
Which helps us in learning and gathering knowledge in creative and useful ways.
- Creativity
- Love of Learning
- Perspective
- Curiosity
- Open-mindedness
Courage
Which empowers us to tackle adversity, and accomplish our goals.
- Honesty
- Bravery
- Persistence
- Zest
Humanity
How we build and maintain positive relationships with the people around us.
- Kindness
- Love
- Social Intelligence
Justice
How we relate to others around us in social or group settings. How we work towards creating healthy communities.
- Fairness
- Teamwork
- Leadership
Temperance or Moderation
Supporting us in managing our vices. These help us self-regulate our emotions and action.
- Forgiveness
- Modesty or Humility
- Prudence
- Self-Regulation
Transcendence
Connects us to the world around us in a meaningful way.
- Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
- Gratitude
- Spirituality
- Humor
- Hope
Of these 24-character strengths, which do you possess and utilise in your workplace, and which would you like to develop and lean on more often. Take some time to unpack these strengths and choose which to make a commitment to. As we better understand our own strengths, and work to develop them, it is also important to acknowledge the strengths of those around us.
Think about the strengths your colleagues embody, and what is it about their strengths that you appreciate.
Don’t forget to let them know that you are grateful they bring these qualities to your workplace!
AUTHOR: Gāya Surendorff Associate Director, Diversity Australia
